Saleh Dismisses Potential Ezekiel Elliott Pursuit

Gang Green's third-year head coach endorsed the team's current collection of ball carriers

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh’s answer was quick and short.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL Owners’ Meetings on Monday, Saleh didn’t give much attention to a question about possibly signing veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott.

“We love our running back room. I'll leave it at that,” said Saleh in response to the idea of adding the former Dallas Cowboys’ bell cow ball carrier.

Elliott, who won the NFL rushing title in 2016 and 2018, watched his role in Dallas diminish with the emergence of Tony Pollard.

Elliott averaged fewer than 60.0 rush yards per game each of the past two seasons. In 2022, the three-time Pro Bowl running back accounted for a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, Jets’ 2022 draft pick Breece Hall burst onto the scene as a rookie. Prior to suffering a season-ending ACL injury, the Iowa State product totaled 681 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over his first seven NFL games.

Hall, who averaged 5.8 yards per rush last year, was on schedule in his recovery according to Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas.

“Yeah, Breece (Hall) is doing great in his recovery. I know he had a visit with Dr. Cooper in Dallas, and he’s progressing great,” said Douglas at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on February 28.

Jets' RB Breece Hall (20) / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Former fourth-round pick Michael Carter (2021) and undrafted Zonovan Knight (2022) have the potential to shoulder the load until Hall returns to full strength.

Carter has rushed for 1,041 yards and seven touchdowns in 30 games since being the No. 107 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Knight landed on the Jets’ Practice Squad after initially surviving the 53-man roster cutdown last summer. After being signed to the active roster in Week 8, the North Carolina State product made his NFL debut in a 31-10 home win over the Chicago Bears in Week 11.

Knight totaled 400 yards from scrimmage in seven appearances as a rookie.

Ty Johnson is also returning to the Jets’ running back room in 2023. The key special teamer played in all 17 games last year while averaging 5.3 yards per carry in limited offensive snaps.

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